THE GRATEFUL

Reading Assignment:  Psalm 27 - 30

“Be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:17).

If asked the question, we would all probably respond that we are thankful. In fact some would lay claim to being thankful, but still fail to acknowledge that the good things they enjoy have been given by God. 

Obviously when the Apostle gave the admonition to be thankful, he was talking about more than a good attitude; he was talking about giving thanks to God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

But though we consider ourselves to be thankful, there may be times when we grumble and complain. If we truly admit with the patriarch Jacob that we are unworthy of the least of his mercies, then we have no room for complaint even if we are passing through a time of great trial.

We must truly gain understanding about the thinking that interferes with a thankful heart.  We learn from childhood how to equate being thankful with things going the way we want them to go.  As long as circumstances were in our favor and we could remain within our comfort zone, we were okay with the situation and thankful for our many blessings.

When those circumstances changed and we were no longer on top but being challenged and tried, we lose focus on the goodness of God and begin to complain.

May we at this season of the year review again the many things for which we should give thanks to our loving heavenly Father. And let us say with the Apostle, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

Faith Confession:  Father, I am thankful for all that you are doing in my life, things that are going well and for the things that may be a challenge to my faith right now.  I am grateful to You because I know that you always have my best interest and I will follow You all the days of my life with the "attitude of gratitude, in Jesus' name, Amen!